Semantic search
| Start date | Reporting criterion | Title | Event description | System | LER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENS 58388 | 8 June 2026 19:59:00 | 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1), Submit an LER | Invalid Specified System Actuation | The following information was provided by the licensee via phone and email: On June 8, 2026, at 1259 PDT, Columbia Generating Station's leak detection monitor '1A' (LD-MON-1A) caused an isolation of RWCU-V-4 (reactor water cleanup outboard isolation valve) and RCIC-V-8 (reactor core isolation cooling outboard steam supply isolation valve). Based on a review of available information by engineering, the actuations were determined to be invalid and likely the result of an intermittent nuclear measurement analysis and control (NUMAC) bus communication fault as plant conditions for a valid actuation did not exist. The actuation was not initiated in response to actual plant conditions, this was not an intentional manual initiation, and there were no parameters satisfying the requirements for initiation. Therefore, this event has been determined to be an invalid actuation. As indicated in 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1), in the case of an invalid actuation reported under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), the licensee may, at its option, provide a telephonic notification to the NRC Operations Center within 60 days of discovery of the event instead of submitting a written licensee event report. This 60-day telephone notification is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1) for invalid actuations reported under 10 CFR 50.73 (a)(2)(iv)(A). There was no impact on the health and safety of the public or plant personnel. The following information is provided as specified in NUREG-1022: (a) Containment Isolation Valves RWCU-V-4 and RCIC-V-8 isolated. (b) All expected isolations based on the as-found condition of the leak detection monitor were completed. (c) The isolation of RWCU-V-4 and RCIC-V-8 completed successfully. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. | Reactor Core Isolation Cooling Reactor Water Cleanup | |
| ENS 58163 | 12 February 2026 10:49:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(i), Tech Spec Required Shutdown | Manual Reactor Trip Due to a Loss of Both Reactor Recirculation Pumps | The following information was provided by the licensee via phone and email: At 0249 PST, on February 12, 2026, with the unit in Mode 1 at 100 percent power, the reactor was manually tripped due to a loss of both reactor recirculation pumps because of abnormal pump drive parameters. Following reset of the reactor trip signal, operators observed erratic automatic operation of the reactor feed pumps with an associated reactor water level transient to less than plus 13 inches resulting in an additional reactor trip signal. Operators took manual control of the reactor feed pumps and recovered reactor water level, stabilizing water level at above plus 13 inches. The reactor trip signal was reset, and reactor water level was raised to support natural circulation flow of the reactor. Decay heat is being removed via natural circulation in the reactor with steam to the main condenser. Due to the valid reactor protection system actuations, this event is being reported as a four-hour, non-emergency notification per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(i), four-hour, non-emergency notification per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), and eight-hour, non-emergency notification, per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A). There was no impact on the health and safety of the public or plant personnel. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. | Reactor Protection System Reactor Recirculation Pump Main Condenser | |
| ENS 57982 | 13 October 2025 00:05:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident | Loss of Safety Function | The following information was provided by the licensee via phone and email: On October 12, 2025, Columbia Generating Station (CGS) was performing a reactor building emergency cooling test. At 1428 (PDT), an air damper associated with the division 1 motor control center (MCC) room cooling failed to perform its intended function to close. This MCC supports the operation of one subsystem of the standby gas treatment system (SGT). At 1440, a second air damper, associated with the division 2 MCC room cooling, also failed. This MCC supports the operation of the other SGT subsystem. Field operators were dispatched to investigate the potential cause. At 1627, the first air damper that had failed was observed to have closed on its own without further operator action. Operators subsequently determined that failure of the air damper to close rendered the associated emergency room coolers inoperable. At 1705, (the division 2 MCC) was declared inoperable and technical specification action statement 3.8.7.A was entered. From 1440 to 1627, CGS was in a condition that required both SGT subsystems to be declared inoperable due to the loss of emergency room cooling to their associated MCCs. This condition constitutes a loss of safety function of SGT and secondary containment. It could have challenged the station's ability to control a radioactive release had one occurred during that time. This notification is being made pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) and (D) due to the loss of safety function of both trains of SGT and secondary containment for approximately 2 hours. The Resident Inspector was notified. The following additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance: At the time of notification, the licensee had exited all technical specification action statements.
On October 12, 2025, at 2152 PDT, Columbia Generating Station notified the NRC pursuant to 10 CFR 50. 72(b)(3)(v)(C) and (D) due to the loss of safety function of both trains of standby gas treatment (SGT) and secondary containment for approximately 2 hours under Event Notification 57982. The notification was made due to the failure of two dampers to close during testing of the Reactor Building Emergency Cooling System. The dampers that failed to close were cross-divisional and affected rooms with equipment necessary for both trains of the SGT system which supports the safety function of secondary containment. Following the event, engineering conducted an evaluation to determine if both air dampers remaining open during a loss of cooling accident would have put any safety-related equipment at risk due to potential changes in radiological and environmental conditions within the associated motor control center (MCC) rooms. The engineering evaluation determined temperatures and humidities would not have exceeded limits in the MCC rooms due to the dampers being left open. Additionally, any increase in radiation would be considered negligible and would not affect the ability of the equipment to perform their design functions. Therefore, the safety-related equipment within the MCC rooms would have been available and operable to perform their design function were an accident to occur. Consequently, the failure of two dampers to close during testing is not considered to be an event or condition that could have prevented fulfillment of the safety function of SGT and secondary containment and did not impact the ability to mitigate the consequences of an accident or control the release of radioactive material, therefore, event notification 57982 is retracted. The Resident Inspector has been notified. Notified R4DO (Vossmar) | Secondary containment Standby Gas Treatment System | |
| ENS 57871 | 15 August 2025 23:26:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi), Notification to Government Agency or News Release | Offsite Notification | The following information was provided by the licensee via phone and email: On August 15, 2025, Columbia Generating Station received a report of a sheen of oil in the circulating water basin. This basin is connected to the Columbia River via a blowdown line. This blowdown line was secured at 1423 PDT on August 15, 2025. A visual inspection of the Columbia River did not identify any oily sheen or film. It did not appear that the oil posed a threat to human health or the environment, however, because there could have been a discharge of an unknown quantity of oil into the Columbia River, the event became immediately reportable under 40 CFR 302.6a to the National Response Center, Benton County, Washington State Department of Emergency Management (under Revised Code of Washington 90.56.280), Washington Department of Ecology, as well as the Coast Guard National Response Center. This is being reported pursuant to 10 CFR 50. 72(b)(2)(xi) for notification of other government agencies concerning an event related to the health and safety of the public or protection of the environment. Notifications to offsite agencies was performed at 1626 on August 15, 2025. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. | ||
| ENS 57785 | 23 June 2025 15:27:00 | 10 CFR 21.21(d)(3)(i), Failure to Comply or Defect | Part 21 Report - Solenoid Valve Defect | The following information was provided by the licensee via phone and email: Valcor supplied replacement V70900-45 solenoid valves with substitute EM163-80 EPDM O-ring material (due to the obsolescence of the original E0515-80 material) and certified to the original qualification test report based on Delta Qualification report QRSKC26022-1. These replacement solenoid valves were installed at Columbia Generating Station (CGS) in July 2024 as control rod drive scram discharge volume solenoid drain valves. On September 26, 2024, CGS identified this change in material and the issue was entered into the corrective action program. Columbia's review of the Delta Qualification report identified the justification of the thermal life of the new O-ring compound when used in normally energized valves such as those supplied to CGS was not adequate. This issue was communicated to the NRC with an interim Part 21 notification on November 21, 2024 (ML24326A362). Valcor's report of additional testing to attempt to justify the new O-ring material as equal to or better than the original material was submitted to CGS on February 24, 2025. Columbia concluded the justification was inadequate and submitted to a third party for evaluation. The Senior Resident Inspector has been notified. | Control Rod | |
| ENS 57676 | 22 April 2025 15:00:00 | 10 CFR 26.719, FFD Reporting requirements | Fitness for Duty Report | The following information was provided by the licensee via phone and email: A non-licensed supervisor had a confirmed positive fitness-for-duty follow-up test. The employee's unescorted access has been terminated. This report is being made pursuant to 10 CFR 26.719(b)(2)(ii). The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
The following information was provided by the licensee via phone and email: This is to retract event notification 57676. On April 22, 2025, Columbia Generating Station notified the NRC (event notification 57676) under 26.219(b)(2)(ii) of a non-licensed supervisor with a confirmed positive fitness-for-duty follow-up test. Subsequent to the notification the medical review officer (MRO) has reversed their decision of a positive test result based on additional research and information provided by the certifying scientist of the laboratory. Due to this, the original notification (57676) is being retracted. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. Notified R4DO (Rollins) and FFD Group (email). | ||
| ENS 57663 | 12 April 2025 09:23:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(i), Tech Spec Required Shutdown 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A), Seriously Degraded | Shutdown Required by Technical Specifications | The following information was provided by the licensee via phone and email: During a planned shutdown at Columbia Generating Station for a refueling outage, pressure boundary leakage was identified from the bonnet vent line of loop `B' discharge motor operated isolation valve during a drywell inspection. Leakage was initially identified during a drywell entry at 15 percent (reactor) power and identified as pressure boundary leakage during a subsequent entry in mode 3. The leak exceeds technical specification (TS) 3.4.5 'RCS Operational Leakage' of no pressure boundary leakage. TS action `C' was entered, requiring (the plant to be in) mode 3 in 12 hours and mode 4 in 36 hours. Columbia Generating Station was in mode 3 at time of determination for (entering TS) 3.4.5. Therefore, the event is reportable within 4 hours per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(i) due to the initiation of a plant shutdown required by the plant's TS. The event is also reportable within 8 hours per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A) due to an event that resulted in the condition of the nuclear power plant, including principal safety barriers, being seriously degraded. The following additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance: The NRC Resident Inspector has been informed. Columbia Generating Station estimates the leak rate to be less than 0.2 gallons per minute. Columbia Generating Station expects to enter mode 4 within the required 36 hours. | ||
| ENS 57329 | 18 September 2024 15:15:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi), Notification to Government Agency or News Release | Offsite Notification for Oil Release | The following information was provided by the licensee via email: On September 18, 2024, Columbia Generating Station determined that lubricating oil was likely released into the plant service water system due to a failed heat exchanger on the reactor feed turbine alpha. Isolation of the heat exchanger from the plant service water system is in progress. The plant service water system returns water to a water basin that contains, at a minimum, 300,000 gallons of water. The water basin is connected to the Columbia River via a blowdown line. The blowdown line was secured at 0739 PDT on 9/18/2024. A visual inspection of the basin did not identify any oil sheen or film, but a sample downstream of the affected heat exchanger revealed an oily sheen in the sample bottle. It does not appear the oil released poses a threat to human health or the environment. However, there could have been a discharge of an unknown quantity of oil into the Columbia River. This matter is immediately reportable under Revised Code of Washington 90.56.280 to the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center, Washington State Department of Ecology, and to the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council per National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit section S3.F.2.b.i. This condition is being reported pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi) for notification of other government agencies concerning an event related to the health and safety of the public or protection of the environment. Notifications to off-site agencies were performed at 0850 PDT on 9/18/2024. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. United States Coast Guard National Response Center Incident Report #141183 Washington State Department of Ecology #733853
The following information was provided by the licensee via email: On September 18, 2024, Columbia Generating Station notified the NRC (event notification 57329) under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi) of an offsite notification for potential oil release to the plant service water system and potentially the Columbia River. Further troubleshooting efforts refuted the possibility of leakage from the heat exchanger to the plant service water system. Engineering determined the most likely path of oil leakage was through a seal in the reactor feed turbine 'A' pump. This leakage would exit with seal water leak-off into the marine oil separator into collection barrels which are collected and processed. Since troubleshooting efforts determined oil leakage was not from the heat exchanger to the plant service water system, the offsite notification retractions were completed as of October 10, 2024, and therefore event notification 57329 is being retracted. The NRC Resident Inspector was notified. Notified R4DO (Gaddy). | Service water | |
| ENS 57314 | 10 September 2024 23:30:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi), Notification to Government Agency or News Release | Offsite Notification | The following information was provided by the licensee via email: On September 10, 2024, Columbia Generating Station determined that no more than approximately thirty (30) gallons of silicone oil was inadvertently released into a plant service water system due to a failed heat exchanger on a plant installed air compressor. The plant service water system returns water to a water basin that contains at a minimum 300,000 gallons of water. The water basin is connected to the Columbia River via a blowdown line. The compromised heat exchanger and compressor have been isolated and secured from the plant service water system. Although not confirmed, it is suspected that an unknown quantity of silicone oil may have been released to the Columbia River. A visual inspection of the basin did not identify any oil sheen or film, and there are no additional actions needed to mitigate this issue. It does not appear the oil released poses a threat to human health or the environment, however, because there could have been a discharge of an unknown quantity of silicone oil into the Columbia River, this matter is immediately reportable under (Revised Code of Washington) 90.56.280 to the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center, Washington State Department of Ecology, and to the State of Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) under the site's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit section S3.F.2.b. This condition is being reported pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi) for notification of other government agencies concerning an event related to the health and safety of the public or protection of the environment. Notifications to off-site agencies are in progress. The following additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance: The NRC resident inspector will be notified. | Service water | |
| ENS 57163 | 5 June 2024 04:41:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii), Loss of Emergency Preparedness | Primary Containment Isolation Due to Loss of Rps Power Supply | The following information was provided by the licensee via fax or email: On June 4, 2024, at 2141 PDT, with the unit in Mode 1 at 100 percent power, the reactor protection system (RPS) 'B' power supply unexpectedly de-energized which caused containment isolations to occur in reactor water clean up, equipment drains radioactive, floor drains radioactive, reactor recirculation, and traversing in-core probe systems. All actuations occurred as designed upon the partial loss of RPS power. This event is being reported pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii) as a major loss of emergency assessment capability due to the inability to assess primary containment identified and unidentified leakage rates. Emergency assessment capability was restored at 2204. The NRC Senior Resident has been notified.
A clarification for reactor recirculation valve isolation above - the flow path was administratively isolated prior to the event. After further evaluation it has been confirmed that the containment isolations were not caused due to any actual plant conditions or system parameters that satisfied the requirements for isolation. The isolations were a result of loss of power to the RPS 'B' bus and therefore are not considered valid actuations. As indicated in 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1), in the case of an invalid actuation reported under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), the licensee may, at its option, provide a telephonic notification to the NRC Operations Center within 60 days of discovery of the event instead of submitting a written licensee event report. This 60-day telephone notification is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1) for invalid actuations reported under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A). Notified R4DO (Werner) | Reactor Protection System Primary containment | |
| ENS 57013 | 7 March 2024 00:35:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi), Notification to Government Agency or News Release | Offsite Notification | The following information was provided by the licensee via email: On March 6, 2024, at 1635 PST, with Columbia Generating Station operating at 100 percent power in Mode 1, there was a malfunction in the halogenation/dehalogenation system. This system is used for continuous control of the biological growth in the circulating water and plant service water systems as well as to prevent discharge of halogens to the Columbia River during continuous blowdown. The result of this malfunction was exceeding the established limits of 0.1 milligrams/liter (mg/L) for total residual halogen (TRH) in the station's national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit. At the time of discovery, the local indication for TRH was 3.20 mg/L. This was confirmed via a local grab sample. This maximum daily effluent limit is the highest allowable daily discharge, measured during a calendar day. The station NPDES permit requires notification to the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC). The automatic isolation function of the system failed to isolate the continuous blowdown line as did the emergency trip push button. The system was manually secured, and the continuous blowdown line to the Columbia River was isolated. The cause of the issue is under investigation. Notification was made to EFSEC on March 6, 2024, at 2303 PST. This event is being reported as a four hour report made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi) due to a "News Release or Notification of Other Government Agency" related to protection of the environment. The NRC Senior Resident Inspector has been notified. | Service water | |
| ENS 56928 | 18 January 2024 20:04:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(B), Loss of Safety Function - Remove Residual Heat 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B), Unanalyzed Condition | Residual Heat Removal Degraded Due to Service Water Leakage | The following information was provided by the licensee via email: On January 18, 2024, at 0030 PST, diesel generator 2 (DG2) was shut down following a monthly surveillance run. Subsequently, a leak was discovered in the DG2 building. Service water pump '1B' was secured at 0117, effectively stopping the leak. The leak was determined to be service water coming from a diesel generator mixed air cooling coil. Service water system 'B' and DG2 were subsequently declared inoperable at 0135. After discussion with engineering, it was identified that the amount of service water leakage from the cooling coil was assumed to be greater than the leakage allowed by the calculation to assure adequate water in the ultimate heat sink to meet the required mission time of 30 days. At 1204, it was determined that entry into Technical Specification 3.7.1 condition D was warranted since the assumed leakage from the cooling coil could exceed the calculated allowed value. At 1238, the control power fuses for service water pump '1B' were removed. DG2 and service water system 'B' were declared unavailable, and the technical specification condition for the inoperable ultimate heat sink was exited. With the control power fuses removed, the pump is kept from auto starting, effectively preventing the leak and ensuring the safety function of the ultimate heat sink is maintained while the cooling coil is repaired or replaced. Due to the leakage assumed greater than the calculated allowable value this condition is reportable per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B) as an unanalyzed condition and per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(B) as an event or condition that could have prevented fulfillment of the safety function of structures or systems that are needed to remove residual heat. There was no impact to the health and safety of the public. The NRC Resident has been notified. | Service water Residual Heat Removal | |
| ENS 56628 | 17 July 2023 18:11:00 | 10 CFR 26.719, FFD Reporting requirements | Fitness for Duty - Prohibited Substance Found Inside the Protected Area | The following information was provided by the licensee via email: This report is being made pursuant to 10 CFR 26.719(b)(1). At 1111 (PDT) on 7/17/23, a knowledgeable individual received test results from a lab which identified a prohibited substance that was found in the protected area during the recent refueling outage. This prohibited item was found on 5/21/23 in an infrequently accessed area, the condenser bay, and removed from the protected area. The item was old and is surmised to be from construction. Residual ash on the prohibited item tested positive for a prohibited substance. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | ||
| ENS 56572 | 14 June 2023 01:42:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi), Notification to Government Agency or News Release | Offsite Notification - Oil Release | The following information was provided by the licensee via email: On 6/13/23 at approximately 1030 PDT, testing was being conducted on a lubricating oil system which interfaces with a cooling water system that has a pathway to the Columbia River. Due to an equipment failure, an indeterminate amount of oil leaked into the cooling water system, with a maximum potential loss of 300 gallons of oil. At 1230 PDT, an oil sheen was identified on the water basin which is the suction and discharge for this cooling system. The discharge pathway to the river was isolated at 1235 PDT. Investigation at the Columbia River showed no signs of oil sheen. This is being reported to offsite agencies under the Columbia Generating Station NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Permit section S3.E.b. l and RCW (Revised Code of Washington) 90.56.280 due to the discharge of oil which has the potential to cause a sheen on the surface of the river. This condition is being reported pursuant to 10CFR50.72(b)(2)(xi) for news release or notification of other government agencies related to health and safety of the public or protection of the environment. Notifications to off-site agencies were performed at 1842 PDT on 6/13/2023. United States Coast Guard National Response Center Incident Report# 1369989. Washington State Emergency Management Division Report# 23-2245. Discharge pathway will remain secured until on-site cooling water system has been remediated. The NRC resident has been informed. | ||
| ENS 56625 | 17 May 2023 10:39:00 | 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1), Submit an LER | 60-DAY Optional Telephonic Notification for an Invalid Actuation of an Emergency AC Electrical Power System | The following information was provided by the licensee email: At 0339 CDT on May 17, 2023, diesel generator 3 (DG3) had an auto-start during a surveillance test of excess flow check valves in containment atmosphere instrument sensing lines. During the surveillance, workers failed to recognize residual pressure in the system from the test. Per procedure, MS-PS-47C (main steam pressure switch) was placed back in service, resulting in initiation logic for both the high pressure core spray (HPCS) system and DG3 auto-start. Because the HPCS system was tagged out of service for maintenance it did not actuate. The auto-start of DG3 was an expected response to the high drywell pressure indication. The signals cleared, and DG3 was shutdown per procedure. As indicated in 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1), in the case of an invalid actuation reported under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), the licensee may, at its option, provide a telephonic notification to the NRC Operations Center within 60 days of discovery of the event instead of submitting a written licensee event report. This 60-day telephone notification is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1) for invalid actuations reported under 10 CFR 50.73 (a)(2)(iv)(A). This actuation was invalid since it was caused by programmatic issues in quality of procedural guidance and not the result of actual plant conditions warranting auto-start of DG3. The actuations were not initiated in response to actual plant conditions, this was not an intentional manual initiation, and there were no parameters satisfying the requirements for initiation. Therefore, this event has been determined to be an invalid actuation. Diesel generator 3 system responded as designed to the actuation signal. The HPCS system did not actuate since it was tagged out of service. There was no impact on the health and safety of the public or plant personnel. The following information is provided as specified in NUREG-1022: (a) The diesel generator 3 was actuated. (b) The actuation of DG3 was complete. (c) The DG3 train was started and functioned successfully. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. | High Pressure Core Spray Main Steam | |
| ENS 55968 | 28 June 2022 18:16:00 | 10 CFR 26.719, FFD Reporting requirements | Fitness for Duty Report | A non-licensed supervisor had a confirmed positive for alcohol during a random fitness-for-duty test. The employee's unescorted access has been terminated. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. | ||
| ENS 55938 | 13 June 2022 16:23:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation | Partial Loss of Power to RPS During Maintenance | The following information was provided by the licensee via email: During thermography of a reactor protection system (RPS) distribution panel, a circuit breaker (RPS-CB-7B) was inadvertently opened. This resulted in a partial loss of power to RPS Division B, which caused containment isolations to occur in multiple systems (Reactor Water Clean Up, Equipment Drains Radioactive, Floor Drains Radioactive, Reactor Recirculation, and Traversing lncore Probe). Specifically, RWCU-V-1, FDR-V-3, EDR-V-19, RRC-V-19, and TIP-V-15 all closed. All actuations occurred as designed upon the partial loss of RPS power. This event is being reported pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) due to an unplanned valid actuation of a system pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(B)(2). Additionally, this is being reported pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72 (b)(3)(xiii) for a major loss of emergency assessment capability due to the inability to assess primary containment identified and unidentified leakage rates. Emergency assessment capability was restored at 1008 PDT upon system restoration. The NRC resident was notified by the licensee.
The following information was received via email: This event is being reported pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72 (b)(3)(xiii) only for a major loss of emergency assessment capability due to the inability to assess primary containment identified and unidentified leakage rates. The containment isolation was not due to actual plant conditions or parameters meeting design criteria for containment isolation. Therefore, this is considered an invalid actuation. Updated ENS Text: During thermography of a reactor protection system (RPS) distribution panel, a circuit breaker (RPS-CB-7B) was inadvertently opened. This resulted in a partial loss of power to RPS Division B, which caused containment isolations to occur in multiple systems (Reactor Water Clean Up, Equipment Drains Radioactive, Floor Drains Radioactive, Reactor Recirculation, and Traversing Incore Probe). Specifically, RWCU-V-1, FDR-V-3, EDR-V-19, RRC-V-19, and TIP-V-15 all closed. All actuations occurred as designed upon the partial loss of RPS power. This is being reported pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72 (b)(3)(xiii) for a major loss of emergency assessment capability due to the inability to assess primary containment identified and unidentified leakage rates. Emergency assessment capability was restored at 1008 PDT upon system restoration. The plant is stable, and all effected systems have been restored. There was no impact to the health and safety of the public or plant personnel. The NRC resident has been notified. Notified R4DO (Azua).
The following information was received via email: At 0923 (PDT) on June 13, 2022, a partial loss of power to the Reactor Protection System (RPS) 'B' occurred due to the inadvertent opening of circuit breaker RPS-CB-7B during thermography of RPS-PP-C72/P001. The partial loss of RPS 'B' resulted in closure of primary containment isolation valves (PCIVs) in multiple systems. No plant parameters existed which would cause the opening of RPS-CB-7B or actuation of the primary containment isolation; therefore, this is considered to be an invalid actuation of a system listed in 10 CFR 50.73(a)(iv)(B). The closure of PCIVs were expected responses to the partial loss of RPS 'B'. Circuit breaker RPS-CB-7B was closed lo restore energy lo RPS 'B' at 1008 (PDT), containment isolation valves were opened, and the affected systems were returned to normal operating conditions for the current configuration per plant procedures. As indicated in 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1), in the case of an invalid actuation reported under 10 CFR 50.73(a)(2)(iv)(A), the licensee may, at its option, provide a telephonic notification lo the NRC Operations Center within 60 days of discovery of the event instead of submitting a written Licensee Event Report. This 60-day telephone notification is being made in accordance with 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1) for invalid actuations reported under 10 CFR 50.73 (a)(2)(iv)(A). This actuation was invalid since it was caused by maintenance activities and not the result of actual plant conditions warranting containment isolation. The following additional information is provided as specified in NUREG-1022: The following inboard containment isolation valves were actuated when personnel inadvertently bumped into RPS-CB-7B during the removal of a panel � RWCU-V-1 Reactor Water Cleanup Suction Inboard Isolation Valve � EDR-V-19 Drywell Equipment Drain Inboard Isolation Valve � FDR-V-3 Drywell Floor Drain Inboard Isolation Valve � RRC-V-19 Reactor Water Sample Inboard Isolation Valve � TIP-V-15 Traversing In-Core Probe Purge Isolation Valve All actuations occurred as designed upon the partial loss of RPS power. There were no actual safety consequences associated with this event since all affected equipment responded as designed. The NRG Residents have been notified. Notified R4DO (O'Keefe). | Reactor Protection System Primary containment Reactor Water Cleanup | |
| ENS 55682 | 1 January 2022 17:10:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident | High Pressure Core Spray System Declared Inoperable | The Licensee provided the following information via fax: During performance of a surveillance of the High Pressure Core Spray (HPCS) service water system on January 1, 2022, the HPCS system was declared inoperable for performance of the surveillance. During the surveillance, pump discharge pressure and flow were above the action range curve specified in the surveillance. For the given flow rate, pump discharge pressure was too high. This condition prevents declaring the HPCS service water system and HPCS system operable. The HPCS service water and HPCS systems remain inoperable. The station entered Technical Specification (TS) 3.7.2.A and TS 3.5.1.B at 0910 (PST) on January 1, 2022. In accordance with TS 3.5.1.B, the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) system was verified to be operable. TS 3.5.1 Action B provides a 14-day completion time to restore HPCS to an operable status. All other Emergency Core Cooling systems (ECCS) are operable. This event is being reported as an event or condition that could have prevented the fulfillment of a safety function credited for mitigating the consequences of an accident per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D). The HPCS system is a single train system at Columbia. The NRC resident has been notified. The following additional information was obtained from the licensee in accordance with Headquarters Operations Officers Report Guidance: The licensee is investigating the cause of the high pump discharge pressure and verifying instrumentation accuracy.
This Notification is to retract EN 55682, Unplanned High Pressure Core Spray (HPCS) Inoperability. On 1/1/2022 at (1735 EST), Columbia Generating Station notified the NRC under 10 CPR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) of the inoperability of a single train of safety system (HPCS) for performance of the surveillance. During the surveillance pump discharge pressure and flow were above the action range curve specified in the surveillance. Engineering performed an analysis of this event and concluded the HPCS was operable during the event and would have performed its required safety function. The results of initial IST testing of HPCS-P-2 via OSP-SW/IST-Q703 on 01/01/22 resulted in measured parameters falling outside of the acceptable range specified for this pump. Systematic error was suspected as the cause of the failure and the test was reperformed following taking actions to eliminate the suspected systematic errors. The second performance of the test on 01/01/22 resulted in acceptable pump performance. Evidence exists that the initial performance of the test failed due to imprecise averaging techniques due to difficulties in averaging continuously changing values on the test instrument. The second performance of OSP-SW/IST-Q703 should be considered a successful test and the test of record as the systematic error was eliminated and measured parameters are considered valid. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. The HOO notified R4DO (Rolando-Otero). | Service water Reactor Core Isolation Cooling High Pressure Core Spray Emergency Core Cooling System | |
| ENS 55560 | 3 November 2021 19:31:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A), Seriously Degraded | Incorrect Local Leak Rate | On 11/03/2021 Columbia Generating Station concluded the results for refueling outage 24 (R24) and 25 (R25) Local Leak Rate Testing as-found data was incorrect. At 1231 PDT on November 3rd, 2021 Columbia Generating Station determined the local leak rate tests (LLRT) for the X- 25B containment penetration did not meet Technical Specification requirements for LLRT acceptance criteria. The incorrect LLRT data identified for residual heat removal (RHR) B Suppression Pool Spray containment isolation valve (RHR-V-27B) was from the previous two refueling outages (R24 on 5/22/2019 & R25 on 6/512021) at which time primary containment was not required to be operable. The corrected leakage assigned to the X-25 penetration also resulted in total Type B and C leakage summation exceeding the maximum allowable leakage rate for the primary containment (1.0 La) for R24 and exceeding 0.6La in R25. The valve was flushed and retested satisfactory prior to entering the mode of applicability. This event is being reported as an eight-hour, non-emergency notification per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A). There was no impact on the health and safety of the public or plant personnel. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. | Primary containment Residual Heat Removal | 05000397/LER-2021-002, Integrated Leak Rate Test 05000397/LER-2021-002-01, Integrated Leak Rate Test Integrated Leak Rate Test |
| ENS 55425 | 22 August 2021 15:30:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi), Notification to Government Agency or News Release | Offsite Notification of Potential Oil Discharge | On August 22, 2021, Columbia Generating Station determined that no more than approximately eight (8) gallons of silicone oil was inadvertently released into a plant service water system due to a failed heat exchanger on a plant installed air compressor. The plant service water system returns water to a water basin that contains at a minimum 300,000 gallons of water. The water basin is connected to the Columbia River via a blowdown line. Although not confirmed, it is suspected that an unknown quantity of silicone oil may have been released to the Columbia River. A visual inspection of the basin did not identify any oil sheen or film, and there are no additional actions needed to mitigate this issue. It does not appear the oil release poses a threat to human health or the environment, however because there could have been a discharge of an unknown quantity of silicone oil into the Columbia River this matter is immediately reportable under RCW 90.56.280 to the US Coast Guard National Response Center and Washington State Department of Ecology. This condition is being reported pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi) for news release or notification of other government agencies concerning an event related to the health and safety of the public or protection of the environment. Notifications to off-site agencies were performed at 1825 PDT on 8/23/2021. The NRC resident has been informed. | Service water | |
| ENS 55385 | 29 July 2021 23:51:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C), Loss of Safety Function - Release of Radioactive Material | Inoperable Secondary Containment | At 0922 PDT, on 07/28/21, the reactor building roof hatch was opened to support maintenance activities on the roof. Secondary containment differential pressure lowered and was recovered by the operating crew. Secondary containment differential pressure was maintained negative during the transient and was verified to have met technical specification requirements the whole time, however it was not identified at the time that the secondary containment was inoperable due to the roof hatch exceeding the allowable containment breech size and as such a TS 3.6.4.1.A entry was warranted. This report is being made pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72(a)(1)(ii) when it was identified that the secondary containment was inoperable while the roof hatch was open and a report should have been made under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) and (D) for loss of safety function. There were no radiological releases, system actuations, or isolations associated with this event. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | Secondary containment | 05000397/LER-2021-001, Breach of Secondary Containment Breach of Secondary Containment |
| ENS 55215 | 26 April 2021 22:11:00 | 10 CFR 26.719, FFD Reporting requirements | Fitness-For-Duty Report - Employee Supervisor Confirmed Positive for Illegal Drugs | A non-licensed employee supervisor had a confirmed positive for illegal drugs during a random fitness-for-duty test. The employee's access to the plant has been terminated. The NRC Resident has been notified. | ||
| ENS 54630 | 1 April 2020 19:02:00 | 10 CFR 26.719, FFD Reporting requirements | Fitness-For-Duty Report - Licensed Operator Confirmed Positive for Alcohol | A licensed operator had a confirmed positive for alcohol during a random fitness-for-duty test. The employee's access to the plant has been terminated. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. | ||
| ENS 54466 | 8 January 2020 02:55:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii), Loss of Emergency Preparedness | Loss of Seismic Assessment Instrumentation | On January 7, 2020, Columbia Generating Station (CGS) experienced an equipment failure that resulted in a loss of the seismic assessment instrumentation. This is being reported as a major loss of emergency assessment capability in accordance with regulation 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii). No other plant systems were affected. Compensatory measures have been implemented and will remain in place until the seismic system has been restored. The NRC resident has been notified. Licensee received a design basis earthquake alarm, but no other local indication of seismic activity, nor on the U.S. Geological Survey website. Licensee compensatory measures include local readings on seismic instrumentation. | ||
| ENS 54409 | 25 November 2019 16:54:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii), Loss of Emergency Preparedness | En Revision Imported Date 11/28/2019 | EN Revision Text: TEMPORARY PROCESS RADIATION MONITORING SAMPLE CART NON FUNCTIONAL At 1245 PST, on November 23, 2019, the Turbine Building Process Radiation Monitoring Sample Rack (TEA-SR-26) was declared non-functional and taken out of service to perform planned preventive maintenance per procedure. The temporary sample cart was placed in service as an alternate method per plant procedures. At 0854 PST, on November 25, 2019, it was discovered that the temporary sample cart had a broken belt. At that time neither the Turbine Building Process Radiation Monitoring Sample Rack nor the temporary sample cart could be returned to service. At 1300 PST, on November 25, 2019, the temporary sample cart was returned to service following repairs. This restored the required compensatory measures for TEA-SR-26. This event is being reported as a major loss of assessment capability in accordance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii). There was no impact to the health and safety of the public or plant personnel. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
At 2057 PST, on November 26, 2019, it was discovered that the temporary sample cart had lost power and was not in service. At this time, neither TEA-SR-26 nor the temporary sample cart were in service, this was a subsequent failure of the temporary sample cart, and at the time the station had been unsuccessful at restoring a reliable alternate sampling method following the failure that occurred at 0854 PST, on November 25, 2019. At 2350 PST, on November 26, 2019, the temporary sample cart was returned to service following repairs. This restored the required compensatory measures for TEA-SR-26. The NRC Resident Inspector will be notified. Notified the R4DO (Pick) via email. | ||
| ENS 54292 | 25 September 2019 06:38:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident | Loss of High Pressure Core Spray System | At 2338 PDT on September 24, 2019, the High Pressure Core Spray (HPCS) system was declared inoperable due to a leak on DSA-PCV-2C (2 inch Diesel Starting Air Pressure Control Valve). With one of two air headers isolated and being drained for maintenance, this leak caused the remaining starting air header for HPCS-GEN-DG3 (HPCS Diesel Generator) to lower to less than the operability limit. Upon declaring the HPCS system inoperable, TS 3.5.1 Action B was entered. In accordance with Action B, the Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) system was verified to be operable. Action B provides a 14 day completion time to restore HPCS to an operable status. All other Emergency Core Cooling Systems (ECCS) were operable during this event. This event is being reported as an event or condition that could have prevented the fulfillment of a safety function credited for mitigating the consequences of an accident per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D). The HPCS system is a single train system at Columbia. The leak was isolated and starting air header pressure restored to the HPCS diesel generator at 0104 PDT on September 25, 2019, and all associated Technical Specifications were exited. The NRC Resident Inspector was notified. | Reactor Core Isolation Cooling High Pressure Core Spray Emergency Core Cooling System | |
| ENS 54113 | 12 June 2019 03:04:00 | 10 CFR 26.719, FFD Reporting requirements | Fitness for Duty - Contract Employee Supervisor Confirmed Positive for Alcohol | A contract employee supervisor had a confirmed positive test for alcohol during a random fitness-for-duty test. The employee's access to the plant had been terminated. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. | ||
| ENS 53860 | 4 February 2019 22:03:00 | 10 CFR 26.719, FFD Reporting requirements | Fitness for Duty - Licensed Operator Confirmed Positive for Drug Test | A licensed reactor operator had a confirmed positive random fitness-for-duty drug test. The employee's access to the plant has been terminated. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. | ||
| ENS 53775 | 4 December 2018 08:00:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii), Loss of Emergency Preparedness | Loss of Emergency Assessment Capability | On 12/4/2018 at 1340 (PST), Columbia entered a planned evolution to replace the seismic monitoring system. Use of the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale has been implemented as a compensatory measure per station procedures. The expected duration of the replacement activity will exceed 72 hours, therefore, this is being reported as a major loss of emergency assessment capability in accordance with regulation 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii). Compensatory measures will remain in place until the seismic system replacement has been completed. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. | ||
| ENS 53410 | 18 May 2018 13:51:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS System Actuation | Automatic Reactor Scram Caused by Main Transformer Trip | At 0651 (PDT) on May 18th, 2018, Columbia Generating station experienced a Main Transformer trip, that caused a Reactor Scram. Reactor Power, Pressure and Level were maintained as expected for this condition. MS-RV-1A (Safety Relief Valve) and MS-RV-1B (Safety Relief Valve) opened on reactor high pressure during the initial transient. MS-RV-1B appeared to remain open after pressure lowered below the reset point. The operating crew removed power supply fuses for MS-RV-1B and it currently indicates intermediate position. SRV (Safety Relief Valve) tail pipe temperatures indicate all valves are closed. Suppression pool level and temperature have remained steady within normal operating levels. All control rods inserted and reactor power is being maintained subcritical. RPV (Reactor Pressure Vessel) water level is being maintained with condensate and feed system with startup flow control valves in automatic. Reactor Pressure is being maintained with the Turbine Bypass valves controlling in automatic. The main condenser is the heat sink. No ECCS (Emergency Core Cooling Systems) systems actuated or injected; the EOC-RPT (End of Cycle-Recirculation Pump Trip) and RPS (Reactor Protection System) systems actuated causing a trip of the RRC pumps and a reactor scram. Core recirculation is being maintained with RRC-P-1A (Reactor Recirculation Pump) running. No release has occurred. At this time there will be no notifications to state, local or other public agencies. The NRC Senior Resident has been notified. The cause of the event is currently under investigation. Plant conditions are stable. The plant is in its normal electrical alignment and offsite power is available to the site. | Reactor Protection System Main Transformer Reactor Recirculation Pump Reactor Pressure Vessel Emergency Core Cooling System Safety Relief Valve Main Condenser Control Rod | |
| ENS 53068 | 13 November 2017 16:02:00 | 10 CFR 26.719, FFD Reporting requirements | Fitness for Duty - Positive Result for Alcohol | A licensed supervisor had a confirmed positive test for alcohol. The employee was escorted offsite and their plant access has been terminated and a five year denial placed in Personnel Access Data System (PADS). This is being reported per 10 CFR 26.719(b)(2)(ii). The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. | ||
| ENS 52999 | 3 October 2017 15:00:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C), Loss of Safety Function - Release of Radioactive Material | Secondary Containment Inoperable Due to Unexpected Isolation of Exhaust Valve | On October 3, 2017, at 0800 PDT, Reactor Building (Secondary Containment) pressure momentarily rose above the Technical Specification (TS) limit. Secondary Containment was declared inoperable and TS Action Statement 3.6.4.1.A was entered. The pressure rise was due to unexpected isolation of an exhaust valve in the Reactor Building ventilation system during electrical switchgear inspections. The cause of the closure is still under investigation. The Control Room operators reopened the Reactor Building exhaust valve and pressure returned to within limits automatically. Secondary Containment was declared operable at 0802 PDT and TS Action Statement 3.6.4.1.A was exited. This condition is being reported under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) and 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) for an event or condition that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function needed to control the release of radioactive material and accident mitigation. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. | Secondary containment Reactor Building Ventilation | |
| ENS 52966 | 12 September 2017 19:28:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C), Loss of Safety Function - Release of Radioactive Material | Secondary Containment Pressure Momentarily Above Technical Specification Limit | On September 12, 2017, at 1228 PDT, Reactor Building (Secondary Containment) pressure momentarily rose above the Technical Specification (TS) limit. Secondary Containment was declared inoperable and TS Action Statement 3.6.4.1.A was entered. The pressure rise was due to unexpected isolation of the supply and exhaust valves in the Reactor Building ventilation system due to an electrical transient on the power panel feeding the valve operators' solenoid pilot valves during maintenance. The cause of the electrical transient is under investigation. The Reactor Building differential pressure controller restored the building pressure to within limits. The Control Room operators reopened the Reactor Building ventilation supply and exhaust valves. Secondary Containment was declared operable at 1228 PDT and TS Action Statement 3.6.4.1.A was exited. This condition is being reported under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) and 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) for an event or condition that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function needed to control the release of radioactive material and accident mitigation. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | Secondary containment Reactor Building Ventilation | |
| ENS 52918 | 20 August 2017 23:05:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS System Actuation 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation | Manual Reactor Scram Due to a Rise in Main Condenser Back Pressure | On August 20, 2017 at 1605 PDT, Columbia Generating Station was manually scrammed from 100 percent power due to a rise of Main Condenser back pressure. Manual scram of the unit is procedurally required upon a loss of Main Condenser back pressure. Preliminary investigations indicate that the Main Condenser air removal suction valve (AR-V-1) closed, resulting in the Condenser back pressure rising to within 1.0 inch Hg of the setpoint with reactor power greater than 25 percent. Further investigations continue. All control rods fully inserted. In addition to the closure of the air removal suction valve, one of two Reactor Feedwater startup flow control valves did not adequately operate to control Reactor vessel level and resulted in a high-level (Level-8) actuation tripping the Reactor Feedwater System. All other systems operated as expected. Reactor water level is currently being controlled manually with the start-up level control isolation valve. AR-V-1 has been manually opened with a jumper and temporary air supply. Reactor decay heat is being removed via bypass valves to the Main Condenser. This event is being reported under the following: 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), which requires a four-hour notification for any event or condition that results in actuation of the Reactor Protection System when the reactor is critical. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. The licensee plans to issue a press release.
The licensee is updating the notification to include an 8 hour notification under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) for a specified system actuation due to a Level 3 isolation signal which occurred approximately 20 minutes after the scram. The licensee is currently in cold shutdown to repair the Reactor Feedwater startup flow control valve. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R4DO (Farnholtz). | Feedwater Reactor Protection System Main Condenser Control Rod | |
| ENS 52913 | 12 August 2017 07:00:00 | 10 CFR 21.21(d)(3)(i), Failure to Comply or Defect | Part 21 Report - Relay Mounting Plate Mounted Upside Down | Pursuant to 10 CFR 21, this is a non-emergency notification by Energy Northwest concerning a defect in General Electric (GE) Nuclear HMA124A2 relays received at Columbia Generation Station. On August 12, 2017, Energy Northwest completed a 10 CFR 21 evaluation of a condition associated with GE Nuclear HMA124A2 relays supplied by GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas, LLC, and intended for use at Columbia Generating Station. The evaluation was performed to determine the applications where the relays were approved for installation, and where they were installed in the plant, and to determine if the failure of the relays could result in a Substantial Safety Hazard as defined In 10 CFR 21.3. Two of the HMA124A2 relays received had back plates that were mounted upside down, causing the terminals to not match the standard configuration. Although the internal wiring to the physical stud locations was correct, the numbering scheme embossed on the back plate did not match the correct configuration. With the incorrectly mounted back plate, the internal coil of the energizing circuit could be wired to the incorrect portion of the control circuitry, which would not energize when required and could result in the failure of a safety function. This deviation presents a Substantial Safety Hazard as defined In 10 CFR 21.3, as these relays were approved for use in safety related applications; however, there was no actual risk to plant safety since this deviation was recognized and resolved by station craft prior to installation of the relays. This condition is reportable under 10 CFR 21.21(d)(1) as a defect as defined in 10 CFR 21.3. The defective HMA124A2 relays were installed in the plant in the correct configuration with post-maintenance testing performed to ensure operability of the relays. The remaining HMA124A2 relays were examined and no additional defects were identified. GE Hitachi has been notified of the condition. The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector. | ||
| ENS 52848 | 11 July 2017 14:50:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident | Flow Indicating Switch for High Pressure Core Spray Unreliable Indication | This report is being made pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) as an event or condition that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function. On July 11th, 2017, it was discovered that the flow indicating switch for the high pressure core spray (HPCS) minimum flow valve was providing unreliable indication. There was no flow through the line at the time the condition was discovered. This switch provides the flow signal to the HPCS minimum flow valve logic. The switch was declared inoperable and the required actions of Technical Specification 3.3.5.1 were entered. This condition could have prevented the HPCS system, a single train safety system, from performing its specified safety function. Troubleshooting is underway to determine the cause of and correct the condition. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
The condition reported in Event notification #52848 pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) has been evaluated, and determined not to have met the threshold for classification as an Event or Condition the Could Have Prevented Fulfillment of a Safety Function. Engineering analysis has concluded that the affected switch was capable of performing its required support function to provide the flow signal to the HPCS minimum flow valve logic. Thus, the HPCS system remained capable of performing its specific function for the identified condition. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. Notified R4DO (G. Miller). | High Pressure Core Spray | |
| ENS 52830 | 27 June 2017 00:56:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C), Loss of Safety Function - Release of Radioactive Material | Secondary Containment Declared Inoperable | On June 26, 2017 at 1756 PDT, Reactor Building (Secondary Containment) pressure rose above the Technical Specification (TS) requirement multiple times from 1756 to 1800. Secondary Containment was declared inoperable and entry into Technical Specification Action Statement 3.6.4.1.A was made. There was a significant change in average wind speed and barometric pressure occurring at that time. At 1800 PDT, Secondary Containment pressure was restored to within limits and TS 3.6.4.1.A was exited. Environmental conditions have stabilized. The Reactor Building Differential Pressure controllers are working as designed. This condition is being reported under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) and 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) for an event or condition that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function needed to control the release of radioactive material and accident mitigation. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | Secondary containment | |
| ENS 52869 | 25 May 2017 23:47:00 | 10 CFR 50.73(a)(1), Submit an LER | Invalid High Pressure Core Spray (Hpcs) System Actuation in Mode 5 | At 1647 (PDT) on May 25, 2017, during the performance of a post-maintenance test for replacement of a Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) low water level 3 indicator switch (MS-LIS-24A), a pressure perturbation in the common pressure reference line resulted in tripping of the RPV Level 2 instruments and an unplanned start of High Pressure Core Spray (HPCS) pump (HPCS-P-1) and its supporting emergency diesel (DG3). The Reactor Pressure Vessel was flooded up during the refueling outage, thus, the actuations of the HPCS pump and its supporting emergency diesel (DG3) were unplanned and invalid. The HPCS pump did not inject into the RPV due to the RPV level being above Level 8 which is an interlock to close the HPCS RPV injection valve (HPCS-V-4). During the event, the single train HPCS system initiated normally but did not inject into the reactor pressure vessel as expected due to flooded-up conditions of the reactor pressure vessel for refueling outage activities. The emergency diesel generator started normally in response to the initiation signal of HPCS. Both HPCS and the emergency diesel generator functioned successfully. All systems responded in conformance with their design and there was no safety significance associated with this event. At the time of the event, the licensee notified the NRC Resident (Inspector). | Emergency Diesel Generator Reactor Pressure Vessel High Pressure Core Spray | |
| ENS 52615 | 14 March 2017 23:00:00 | 10 CFR 21.21(d)(3)(i), Failure to Comply or Defect | Part 21 Notification - Evaluation of a Deviation - Starter Contactor Failure | Pursuant to 10 CFR Part 21, this is a non-emergency notification by Energy Northwest concerning a defect in Size 1 Freedom Series Starters with nominal 120 VAC coils manufactured by AZZ/NLI (Nuclear Logistics Inc.) used at Columbia Generating Station. On February 8, 2017 Energy Northwest was notified by NLI of a deviation associated with starter contactors used at Columbia that failed to close due to overheating of the starter coil. The coils that were provided were determined to not meet specified voltage ratings. The evaluation completed by Energy Northwest on March 14, 2017 concluded that the deviation did create a Substantial Safety Hazard, and is reportable under 10 CFR 21.21(d)(1) as a defect. A 30 day report will be issued by April 13, 2017 per 10 CFR 21.21(d)(4). The licensee performed a prompt operability assessment for the two starters currently installed. The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector. | ||
| ENS 52510 | 26 January 2017 02:36:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident | High Pressure Core Spray System Diesel Room Fan Motor Failure | On January 25, 2017, at 1836 PST, smoke was detected in the High Pressure Core Spray System (HPCS) diesel room with no indication of a fire. Investigation found the motor starter coil for DMA-FN-32 (Diesel Mixed Air Fan 32), HPCS diesel generator room normal cooling fan, failed. This fan is required for operability of the switchgear that powers the HPCS pump. The HPCS pump is currently inoperable due to maintenance being performed on other support systems. This condition is being reported under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) for an event or condition that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function needed to mitigate the consequences of an accident. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | High Pressure Core Spray | 05000397/LER-2017-001, Regarding Contactor Coil Failure Results in Tripping of HPCS Diesel Mixed Air Fan Regarding Contactor Coil Failure Results in Tripping of HPCS Diesel Mixed Air Fan |
| ENS 52443 | 19 December 2016 07:20:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A), Seriously Degraded | Unisolable Leak on High Pressure Core Spray | On December 18, 2016 at 2320 (PST), a leak was discovered on the High Pressure Core Spray (HPCS) system minimum flow line. The leak is located at a bolted flange downstream of the manual isolation valve HPCS-V-53. The location of the leak is not isolable from the suppression pool. This provides a direct path from inside the Primary Containment to the Reactor Building. High Pressure Core Spray system is a single train Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) system, therefore inoperability is reportable per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D). Based on the location of the leak, Primary Containment integrity is compromised. Primary Containment was declared inoperable and is reportable per 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A). The cause of the leak is under investigation. Actions are underway to cool down and enter MODE 4. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector.
Engineering evaluations indicate that there was neither a High Pressure Core Spray (HPCS) system inoperability nor a condition that resulted in a significantly degraded principal safety barrier (Primary Containment). Therefore, this event does not meet the reporting criteria in 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) and 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(A), and Event Notification# 52443 is being retracted. Bases for the retraction are: (1) Extent or accumulation of water flooding the HPCS room would not have prevented the system from fulfilling any of its designated safety functions, if the system had received a starting signal due to an emergency; and (2) the consequences of the HPCS Minimum Flow Line leak into the Reactor Building were within the dose limits and did not have a significant effect on Primary Containment integrity; therefore, the Primary Containment was degraded but operable. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Notified R4DO (Groom). | Primary containment High Pressure Core Spray Emergency Core Cooling System | |
| ENS 52442 | 18 December 2016 19:24:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS System Actuation 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A), System Actuation 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(A), System Actuation - ECCS Discharge | Automatic Scram Due to Load Reject from Substation | On December 18, 2016 at time 1124 PST the plant experienced a full reactor scram. Preliminary investigations indicate that the scram was caused by a load reject from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) Ashe substation. Further investigations continue. The following conditions have occurred: Turbine Governor valve closure Reactor high pressure trip +13 inches reactor water level activations E-TR-B (backup transformer) supplying E-SM-7/SM-8 (vital power electrical busses) Complete loss of Reactor Closed Cooling (RCC) E-TR-S (Startup transformer) supplying SM-1/2/3 (non-vital power electrical busses) E-DG-1/2/3 (emergency diesel generators) auto start Low Pressure Core Spray (LPCS) and Residual Heat Removal (RHR) A/B/C initiation signals Main Steam Isolation Valves (MSIV) are closed Reactor Core Isolation Cooling (RCIC) RCIC and High Pressure Core Spray (HPCS) were manually activated and utilized to inject and maintain reactor water level. Pressure control is with Safety Relief Valves (SRV) in, manual. Level control is with RCIC and Control Rod Drive (CRD). RCIC has experienced an over speed trip that was reset so that level control could be maintained by RCIC. This event is being reported under the following: 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(A) which requires a 4 hour notification for Emergency Core Cooling System (ECCS) discharge into the reactor coolant system. 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) which requires a 4 hour notification for any event or condition that results in actuation of the Reactor Protection System (RPS) when the reactor is critical. 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(iv)(A) which requires an 8 hours notification for actuation of ECCS systems. All control rods fully inserted. The NRC Resident Inspector has been informed. The licensee indicated that no increase in radiation levels were detected. | Reactor Coolant System Reactor Protection System Emergency Diesel Generator Main Steam Isolation Valve Reactor Core Isolation Cooling High Pressure Core Spray Core Spray Residual Heat Removal Emergency Core Cooling System Safety Relief Valve Control Rod | |
| ENS 52382 | 20 November 2016 22:02:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C), Loss of Safety Function - Release of Radioactive Material | Secondary Containment Differential Pressure Less than Technical Specification Requirement | On November 20, 2016 at 1402 PST, Reactor Building Exhaust Air Fan 1B, REA-FN-1B, failed to start in manual which caused the Technical Specification (TS) for secondary containment pressure boundary to not be met. The duration of the time that the secondary containment TS was not met was approximately less than one minute. REA-FN-1B was being started in manual during a shift of Reactor Building Ventilation to support a post-maintenance support task on REA-FN-1B. Secondary containment differential pressure was restored within the TS requirement of greater than or equal to 0.25 inch of vacuum water gauge by restarting Reactor Building HVAC Train A. The cause of REA-FN-1B failing to start is currently under investigation. This condition is being reported under 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) and 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D) for an event or condition that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function needed to control the release of radioactive material and accident mitigation. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | Secondary containment HVAC Reactor Building Ventilation | |
| ENS 52276 | 3 October 2016 17:08:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C), Loss of Safety Function - Release of Radioactive Material | Loss of Secondary Containment Vacuum for Four Minutes | On October 3, 2016, at 1008 PDT a Reactor Building Exhaust Valve (REA-V-1) unexpectedly closed, which caused the Technical Specification (TS) for secondary containment pressure boundary to not be met. The duration of time that the secondary containment TS was not met was approximately 4 minutes. Secondary containment differential pressure was restored within TS requirement of greater than or equal to 0.25 inches of vacuum water gauge at approximately 1012 PDT by manually starting Standby Gas Treatment (SGT) system (SYS) A. The cause of the REA-V-1 closure is currently under investigation. This condition is being reported under 10CFR50.72(b)(3)(v)(C) for an event or condition that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function needed to control the release of radioactive material. The licensee has notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | Secondary containment | |
| ENS 51826 | 28 March 2016 20:22:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B), RPS System Actuation | Manual Scram Following Loss of Reactor Closed Cooling | At 1322 PDT on Monday, March 28, 2016, Columbia Generating Station was manually scrammed from 100% thermal power due to the loss of Reactor Closed Cooling (RCC). Manual scram of the unit is procedurally required upon loss of RCC. The cause of the loss of RCC is being investigated. Regulation 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(iv)(B) requires reporting within 4 hours of any event or condition that results in actuation of the Reactor Protection System (RPS) when the reactor is critical. All control rods were fully inserted. Valve RWCU-V-4 automatically closed upon high water temperature due to loss of RCC flow. No other safety system actuations were reported. All systems operated as expected. Reactor decay heat is being removed via bypass valves to the Main Condenser. The station is in normal shutdown electrical lineup. The NRC Resident Inspector has been informed. No safety/relief valves lifted and no emergency core cooling systems injected following the reactor scram. | Reactor Protection System Emergency Core Cooling System Main Condenser Control Rod | Regarding Manual Reactor Scram Following Loss of Reactor Closed Cooling 05000397/LER-2016-001, Regarding Manual Reactor Scram Following Loss of Reactor Closed Cooling |
| ENS 51733 | 13 February 2016 18:00:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii), Loss of Emergency Preparedness | Radwaste Building Noble Gas Monitor Out-Of-Service | On 2/10/2016 at 1000 PST, Columbia entered a planned evolution to perform channel functional tests on the RadWaste Building noble gas monitor (WEA-RIS-14). Compensatory measures were implemented per station procedures. The station is experiencing equipment issues and the monitor has not been restored within 72 hours (2/13/2016 at 1000 PST) from the start of the outage. The extended outage of this radiological monitoring instrument is, therefore, being reported as a major loss of radiological assessment capability in accordance with regulation 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(xiii). Compensatory measures will remain in place until the WEA instrument is restored. The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified. Note: Reactor Power is 75 percent due to a planned plant downpower for unrelated scheduled work with a planned return to 100 percent at 1900 PST on 2/14/16. | ||
| ENS 51562 | 24 November 2015 21:30:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(2)(xi), Notification to Government Agency or News Release | Offsite Notification of Fuel Defects | At approximately 1100 PST, Columbia Generating Station (CGS) planned to make a non-required notification to Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) regarding indications of two fuel defects. This condition has not affected full power operation at CGS, and there is no impact to the health and safety of the public or to the environment. CGS plans on making this notification to EFSEC on November 24, 2015 at 1330 PST. This condition is being reported pursuant to 10 CFR 50.72 (b)(2)(xi). The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | ||
| ENS 51526 | 10 November 2015 04:40:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C), Loss of Safety Function - Release of Radioactive Material | Reactor Building Vacuum Less than Technical Specifications Requirement | At 2040 PST on 11/9/2015, Reactor Building (Secondary Containment) pressure increased to above the Technical Specification Surveillance requirement of 0.25 inches vacuum water gauge for approximately seven minutes. Operators took action to manually start Standby Gas Treatment System to restore Reactor Building pressure. This event is reportable as an event that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function needed to control the release of radiation and mitigate the consequences of an accident. The cause of the event is under investigation. There were no radiological releases associated with the event. No safety system actuations or isolations occurred. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. | Secondary containment Standby Gas Treatment System | |
| ENS 51228 | 14 July 2015 06:39:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(D), Loss of Safety Function - Mitigate the Consequences of an Accident 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(v)(C), Loss of Safety Function - Release of Radioactive Material | Secondary Containment Pressure Increase Above Technical Specification Limit | Reactor Building (Secondary Containment) pressure increased to above the Technical Specification Surveillance requirement of 0.25 inches vacuum water gauge for approximately 2 minutes during a planned surveillance test due to a subsequent failure of REA-FN-1A (Exhaust Fan) to manually start during restoration from the surveillance test. This event is reportable as an event that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function needed to control the release of radiation and mitigate the consequences of an accident. Prior to taking test data the surveillance test directs declaring Secondary Containment inoperable in anticipation of potentially exceeding 0.25 inches vacuum water gauge reactor building pressure during the conduct of the surveillance. Consequently Technical Specification LCO 3.6.4.1.A was entered with a 4 hour completion time to restore Secondary Containment to an operable state. Upon failure of REA-FN-1A to start immediate actions were taken to close reactor building ventilation dampers and secure ROA-FN-1A (Supply Fan). Following closure of ventilation dampers and stopping ROA-FN-1A reactor building pressure was quickly restored to less than 0.25 inches vacuum water gauge with Standby Gas Treatment that was already in operation as part of the surveillance test. There were no radiological releases associated with the event. No safety system actuations or isolations occurred. The licensee notified the NRC Resident Inspector. Maximum Secondary Containment pressure noted was 0.1 inches positive water gage.
Subsequent to the initial report, Columbia has since determined that per NUREG-1022 3.2.7 the event was not reportable as Secondary Containment was 'declared inoperable as a part of a planned evolution ... in accordance with an approved procedure and (Columbia's) TS (Technical Specifications).' No condition has been discovered that would have resulted in the system being declared inoperable prior to the surveillance. Therefore, this event is not considered to be a condition that could have prevented fulfillment of a safety function or a condition prohibited by TS and is not reportable to the NRC as a Licensee Event Report (LEA) per 10 CFR 50.73. The NRC Senior Resident Inspector will be notified. Notified the R4DO (Campbell). | Secondary containment Reactor Building Ventilation | |
| ENS 51201 | 6 July 2015 21:20:00 | 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B), Unanalyzed Condition | Postulated Multiple Spurious Operations Scenario That Could Adversely Impact Post-Fire Safe Shutdown | A recent review of Fire Protection and Post Fire Safe Shutdown (PFSS) Programs at Columbia Generating Station (CGS) identified a potential unanalyzed condition with Multiple Spurious Operation (MSO) Scenario 2x. Review of the circuit design for High Pressure Core Spray (HPCS) HPCS-V-10, HPCS-V-11 and HPCS-V-15 identified that fire-induced circuit failure (hot shorts) on the OPEN function control circuits for each valve would create the flow path to potentially drain inventory from the suppression pool (SP). The normal operation of HPCS-P-3 (keep-fill pump) would allow additional inventory from the SP to be transferred to the CSTs (Condensate Storage Tank). If a fourth hot short is postulated, HPCS-P-1 would transfer inventory from the SP to the CST at a much faster rate. HPCS-V-11 was deactivated on 6/12/2015 due to a maintenance repair issue and will be left in the fully closed position. This plant alignment resolves current concern for MSO scenario 2x as fire-induced circuit damage cannot cause spurious opening of HPCS-V-11. However, with an incomplete analysis for MSO scenario 2x, compliance with PFSS MSO requirements would have been challenged from the completion of the MSO project (October 2012) up to June 2015. CGS is reporting this event as an unanalyzed condition in conformance with 10 CFR 50.72(b)(3)(ii)(B). Further analyses are being implemented to confirm the condition and to develop appropriate remedial actions. The licensee will notify the NRC Resident Inspector. | High Pressure Core Spray | 05000397/LER-2015-006, Regarding Postulated Multiple Spurious Operations Scenario That Could Adversely Impact Post-Fire Safe Shutdown Regarding Postulated Multiple Spurious Operations Scenario That Could Adversely Impact Post-Fire Safe Shutdown |